If a grand European vacation isn’t in the cards this summer, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to relax and have fun locally. That might mean doing something unusual and special right at home or maybe exploring areas close to home that you’ve never made time for.

Swipe through to check out these ideas for a summer staycation.

Create a vacation oasis right at home. Sleep in late, and then enjoy a lunchtime picnic in the backyard. Set up a water slide and a sprinkler for some splash fun or invite the whole family into the kitchen for a make-your-own pizza dinner. After dinner, serve up some ice cream sundaes with a range of tasty toppings and create an outdoor movie theater for evening entertainment.

If you’re wanting more than a backyard splash zone, pack up the family and spend a day cooling off at a water park. Even if a huge commercial water park isn’t within reach, you can probably find a neighborhood pool or an urban splash pad that the kids will love.

Are there wineries, breweries or distilleries within a short drive of your home? Ones you’ve maybe always meant to visit but have never managed to find the time? Make a deliberate plan to visit one or two during your staycation, using Uber to get around so you can have fun safely.

Spend a day canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding in a local lake or river – you can almost certainly rent the equipment you need regardless of location. A few hours on the water makes everyday worries disappear.

Visiting an art museum on a blistering hot day is a wonderful way to cool off while getting some culture at the same time. Do a web search; there are probably nearby museums you didn’t know existed. Treat yourself to lunch in the museum cafe and spend the afternoon surrounded by beautiful and thought-provoking paintings and sculptures.

Get up early, before it gets too hot, and explore a hiking trail or two that you’ve been meaning to hit. Your city probably has several parks you’ve never visited. A staycation is the perfect time to connect with the outdoors, right in your own hometown.